Tänak and Toyota Gazoo top the tables after Rally Mexico

Brian Joss – A superb second place finish for Ott Tänak on Rally Mexico kept him at the top of the World Rally Championship’s drivers’ table. Toyota Gazoo Racing World Rally Team also head the manufacturers’ standings, with all three Yaris WRC drivers having finished in points-scoring positions.

As championship leader going into the event, Tänak had to deal with the disadvantage of running first on the road on Friday’s opening day of the rally, effectively clearing the stages ahead of the field. He coped admirably and on Saturday moved up the standings to lie just 2.2 seconds off second place by the close. He duly moved into second with a win on the first of the day’s three stages, then added another stage win to extend his advantage. A puncture denied him the chance to add to his points tally on the final Power Stage, but he was able to hold on to his overall position.

After the rally he said: “This has been a very demanding event: tough for the car, tough for the tyres and tough for the drivers inside the car. I believe we managed it well and I’m really happy to make it through without mistakes or problems. It really shows how strong we are.”

The team’s British driver Kris Meeke posted his best result of the year so far, leading the event briefly and recovering from a puncture to finish in fifth place. Second place on the Power Stage added to his points total. He said: “It’s been a tough rally for me after the puncture while we were leading, but to come away with 14 points is still positive.”

Completing the Toyota trio, Jari-Matti Latvala came home in eighth place, hampered by a series of setbacks including a damaged sump guard on the final day.

The team will next compete in the Tour de Corse (Corsica) on from March 28 to March 31, the first true asphalt rally of the season. With long, mountainous stages lined by rock faces on one side and steep drops on the other, as well as numerous surface changes, there is plenty to catch drivers out.